The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-04-28
OaAUNoEY BLACKS sPEEUH
On Retiring from the Presidency OF tn
Jefferson Association,


Hon. Cbsunesy +. Black. who for
eight years has been president of the
York (Pa.) Jefferson Association, retir-
Ing from the presidency gave his Tea.
sons, and speaking of the mission and
work performed by this and other Drm
oeratiC societies, Mr.. Black went on to
say: .l
We are now living under Democrat
10 admlnistraii ion, whose conduct ap-
pears to have disarmed the criticism of
the adv rsary himself. We meet occa-
sionslly in the bRser Of Republican
newspapers some expressions OF merely
snsrlinQ partlqanship, bat the better
and greater part of the Republican
press admit the affairs Of the govern
mant are managed under Mr.. Cleveland
with rare purity and consummate pru
dence. All the predictions OF evil from
a Democratic administration have sig
nallV failed, and all the predictions of
good have been slgnally verified.
Heretofore untold millions were
wasted In alleged efforts to produce
navy; now, In honest and earnest hands.
real navy of serVleeable vessels, is Vis-
IDLY arising upon moderate ap9roprla-
tlons and without the suspicion or even
the malicious suggestion of a job.
Heretofore the Pacific railroads have
successfully resisted and baftled every
effort to settle upon just basis their
enormous indebtedness to the govern
ment; to-day a commission, with ample
powers cutters upon that important
duty, and the names Of the commission
ers are a sufficient guarantee that the
work will be honestly and thoroughly
done.
Heretofore the carrying companies of
these United States have exercised an
irresponsible power Ov the business Of
the country, greater than that Of all The
governments, general and local cOmbin
bined. To-day these companies are
operated under benehcent statute,
equally just 70 every man and every
locality, so far as they may be reached
by federal law and, excepting those
who after months Of notice aud pTepa-
ration, have been at length deprived Of
unlawful artificial advantages, 1t is
hailed with grateful aeclamation by the
whole people,
The commission feature was favored
by the Democratic party. 1t was forced
upon the re '1otant House by the Repub
licsn Senate. An incOrruDtible and
fearless commission would do no harm
and might do soma good, but bad one,
weak or corrupt would be the most
fearful curse that ever visited US. The
Federalists understand this, and while
we have, for the present, safe federal
co omission, appointed by the wise dis
elimination of an honest Democratic
President. the Republicans IN our leg
islature are preparing to intlict upon
the State of Pennsylvania commission
exclusively partisan, with power to
suspend at discretion, important clauses
of our constitution.
This catalogue Of reforms under
Democratic administration might be
greatly prolonged were this the time
and place for that exhibit. There
are to be seen almost everywhere
by the intelligent eye, scanning the
whole scene Of American politics.
signs of renewing strength and vlgOr In
the great party to which we belong. and
In whose keeping we firmly believe the
best interests Of the people have ever
been and must ever be the most safe. |
The unavoidable irritatiOns attending |
the inauguration Of an administration |
after % years Of exclusion, are rapidly |
and the substantial benefits
Of the change are rising into the clear
view of men of all parties.
Let no Democrat forget that the record |
being made by Mr.. CleVeland'5 adminls
trstion Is the record upon which we
must stand or fall In that fateful con-
test of next year, when 1t is to ia deter |
mined whether our success of 1884 is tp |
be like that of Jefferson In 1900 and of |
Jackson in 1928, complete and Derms
nent or partial and brief. If we cannot |
win upon that record, we cannot win at
all.
Are we, any Of us, prepared for re.
turn to the extravaganza, corruption
and centrslizlng exeesses Of the recent
pastp Whoever shall be the nominee of
the Democratic party, they will be
judged almost exclusively by the history
Of the exis iag administration. Let US
be ready. That struggle involves for
ourselves and our children matters so
that hesitate to speak of
them without greater dellbersti0n.
wish, indeed, there might be, at the be-
ginning Of next year, 10000 permanent
Democratic societies to sustain the cause
Of pure administration, strict cOnstruC.
tiOn and local liberty.